Health and Fitness

Archived DiscussionThis discussion is archived and locked for postingSee active discussions on Health and Fitness

m

39 weeks, no dilation, terrified of c-section :( help!

msjayxo wrote:

I am 39 weeks pregnant. today I had my checkup and I am still not dilating... not even to a one :( this is my first baby. the dr told me the baby is estimated to currently weigh between 7lbs8oz and 8lbs. he also said they gain about a half a pound a week on average towards the end of pregnancy, and because of my small body, little hips, and this being my first baby, he is afraid if I am induced that I won't dilate since my body is not dilating on its own, and as a result, I will have to get a c-section, which I have NOT wanted whatsoever from the very beginning. it may sound silly, but that is somewhat terrifying to me and I want to avoid it if possible. Has this happened to anyone else?? Is there anything I can do to help myself dilate quickly and kind of move things along? I'm still working full time at a job where I'm constantly on my feet, I've had sex, ate spicy food, went walking, idk what else to do!! help!! :(

@msjayxo I wanted a natural birth. I wanted no interventions. I ended up with a csection. You should not worry over what you cannot control. You have to go with the flow and listen to your body and doc. In the end all that matters is a healthy mommy and baby.

m

moyni

@msjayxo I wasn't dilated on my due date, was less than 1cm at my 40+5 checkup, had my boy less than twenty hours later. Not being dilated now doesn't mean you won't be dilated in 2-3 weeks time.

I'm in uk and we do not get checked for dilation at all!! Until we actually feel labour! We don't have these worries which is great! Do not let it stress you out! You can go from zero to ten in a couple of hours! I went into labour and was at 2cm and had my baby in my arms just 4 hours later. I don't think it means anything !! X

B

BeFitMom

Wow, this sounds like HE wants to do a C, rather than what you want of even need. He's totally pre-assuming a lot of negatives. Plus scaring you with them. Totally unacceptable. Did this guy time travel from the 1950's?

The small hips thing is, for the vast majority of women, BS. I'm 5' and gave birth to an 8lb 6oz boy with a head circumference at a whopping 99%. First vag delivery, and I ended up dilating and efacing in less than 45 minutes after my water broke!

Why is he even talking about induction? You should have your amniotic fluid measured. ONLY when this goes down, (or a defferent realissue crops up) should induction be necessary.

The onset of labor and delivery is determined by your baby. Once those hormones start flowing, your body will respond. We all have the inherent ability to give birth.

Cs are VERY profitable for both hospitals and drs. Don't get railroaded into this. Even if you first labor is long, you should be able to give birth on your body's own timeline. Not some BS doctor who doesn't want to be inconvenienced.

Do you have anyone who can be a birth advocate for you when you do go into labor?

BeFit-Mom

m

msjayxo

@BeFitMom I don't have anyone to be an advocate. My regular doctor is a woman, and she seems to be more in tune with what I want.. however, she is a women's healthcare practitioner and she doesn't deliver babies. The doctor I saw is the one who is supposed to deliver my baby with a scheduled induction or c-section. If I wait for labor to happen on it's own, it will just be whatever doctor is on call. I know sometimes women don't dilate quickly after being induced, but I feel like the hospital is in such a hurry that they often times don't give it enough time and suggest that a c-section is necessary. If my baby could be harmed in any way, or is in distress, I would certainly agree to a c-section. However, if she is perfectly healthy and I'm able to deliver her naturally, that is 100% what I want to do. Especially considering the fact that I'm planning a natural birth with no epidural. How would I know if a c-section is something that would really be the best for my baby and I when the time comes, or if the hospital just wants to hurry it up and earn some extra cash?

They will monitor you for signs of fetal distress and if this occurs, then a C might be necessary. Or if your water breaks, and you do not go into labor after 24 hours, then infection becomes likely and again, you might need a C. Have a talk with your healthcare practitioner and get advise on what conditions make a C necessary, so that you can't be bullied into one. Generally, C's are necessary when either your health, or your baby's is clearly at risk.

You should make you wishes clearly known to your OB before labor. Do you have a husband/partner/mom/best friend who could be your birth advocate?

BeFit-Mom

m

mrslondono

@msjayxo I had a csection with my first bit wanted to try for a vbac this time. My water broke at 39 weeks and I was not dilated at all, so I thought I peed myself but it was pinkish so I wondered. That was 9am. At 2pm I started getting mild contractions, went to the hospital at 4 and was not dilated at all! 6pm my doctor came and checked me, again not dilated, so she and I decided she could try to force my cervix open. She did this manually and it was a bit painful, but I was already having seriously painful contractions. So I felt a little snap like a rubber band breaking and she told me she was able to poke her finger through all the way. I dilated immediately to 4cm (7pm), next check 7 cm (8pm) at 11pm I was completely dilated and ready to push. My LO arrived at 11:14. I just wanted to share my experience with you because I was so worried about not dilating, even during labor! But I was very happy my doctor helped me and didn't force me to another csection. Don't stress that you're not dilating yet, hopefully when your LO is ready your body will be too!

K

KSART

@msjayxo I actually feared a vaginal birth.... It seems so traumatizing and stressful to a baby. I also did not dialate, not even during labor. Baby got stressed and I had emergency csection. Best thing I could ask for because I did not want to go through the stress of vaginal. I was up walking that night, and could do everything myself. Could not lift heavy, but never had a problem lifting the baby. I would do it again!

l

lindihopper

I also wanted a natural birth and at 41 weeks refused a induction and started making arrangements for a home birth as the hospital wouldn't let me go beyond 42 weeks. If you don't want an induction then say no and stick to it, unless someone gives a compelling reason for it. I went into labour naturally 10 days over and then needed an emergency c section because baby was sideways and stuck 12 hours later. This had been my worst nightmare! But when it came to it I just knew even before the surgeon had assessed me that baby was stuck and would need cutting out. Although I can't I shine why anyone would elect for a c section, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Hopefully you will get the natural labour you want, but if not its actually quite small in the context of having a baby. You will be ok whatever happens.

a

ashleyknapp

Your doctor may let you go past your due date, so dot start worrying now! Try some home remedies to start labor (you can look them up on this website).

I ended up having to have a c-section a couple months ago with my first child which I didn't want to have. The bottom line is that he was delivered safely and that's all that matters!

a

ababystory

@msjayxo Ok... That small hips thing is most likely crap. I'm 5'2 was 110 prepreg, 136 at my heaviest pregnancy weight. At 42w1d pregnant I went in with severe contractions, just barely displayed to 1. 30 hours later, I had my baby at 8lbs 14ozs. Yes, it was long and painful. Most natural births are unfortunately. But you'll be fine unless there are crazy complications! Good luck! Just remember that dialation takes weeks for some and hours for others.

a

aeromero

When I was induced at 40.3 weeks, I was almost a centimeter. They started my drip at 9 am and at 4:54 pm my baby girl was born. I was worried about a c-section too but they insured me it would be ok. A due date is just a guess so the baby probably isn't as old as they believe. They also estimated I would have an 8 lb baby (born 6.10), I am a very small person and couldn't pass something too large but I passed Aubri without a problem. Everything will be fine and delivery isn't bad at all! Good luck!!!

e

emi1y

@msjayxo I was only 1cm dilated at my last prenatal appt which was at 40 weeks, 5 days. 3 days later I went into labor naturally and delivered a healthy baby vaginally. I agree that your dr seems to WANT an induction or c-section for whatever reason. My personal midwife has always said that she won't consider induction (unless of course their are valid medical complications) until at least 41 weeks. Due dates can be off by a week or so anyway. Don't be afraid to stand up for what YOU want. And research will be your friend!

S

Samanda-K

I never dilated but did efface to about 70% and was induced at 41 weeks. I was in labor 18 hours and it came very close to a C section bc I progressed very slowly but it did happen so don't let anyone rush you unless the baby is in danger. I am also a petite person and had no problems until my baby came out with one of her hands by her face which is what caused all the problems in the first place (not dilating and slow progression). Compound presentation is what it was called. Very rare. Had a vacuum assist at the very end and episiotomy but worth it bc if it didn't work out they were about to rush me to OR since baby's heart rate was starting to go down. Be prepared as a FTM to push for awhile. Nobody warned me of that. Pushed for 2 hours which seemed like 30 minutes! Just be prepared for anything really and you will be fine. My experience was more traumatic than I had wished but my baby was healthy and I was able to deliver vaginally which is what my doctor and I both wanted.

L

LilOB

@msjayxo Msjayxo - induction often leads to an epidural because it cause your body to have longer and stronger contractions than you would have naturally. If you want a natural birth your best bet is to let the baby be born when He or She is ready vs induction. If you're ok with the pain meds than it will be fine with the induction. If you're induced too early before the baby is ready the long and strong contractions caused by the drug can cause distress to the baby as well which can lead to a csection. If your wish is to have a natural unmedicated birth. You can put a birth plan together since you don't have someone there to advocate for you and bring copies to give to the hospital nurses, delivering dr, etc so they follow your wishes. I know many women who have had unmedicated, natural births without much pain. Your body knows what to do. Trust your body, take deep breaths and you'll be fine.

M

Mrscruz1016

I was a week late and had to be induced. I then had an emergency C section because she was tangled in her cord. It was beyond anyones control! Its not worth stressing over what you cannot control. Let nature take its course.

a

amommie1028

@msjayxo I would hire a doula quick to advocate for you. You can go from nothing to a 10 with the snap of a finger. C sections and inductions are convenient for doctors but medically irresponsible if the baby is not in distress or there is some other pressing reason. Btw if you talk to l&d nurses or others working l&d a lot of c sections magically seem to happen around 5-6pm or at the end of doctor shifts. I was 10 days late, went in at 5am at a 7 but didn't have her til 8:41pm so you never know how it goes. She was 8.1 and I'm a tiny girl.

What to Expect has thousands of open discussions happening each day. We work hard to share our most timely and active conversations with you.Archived discussions are usually a bit older and not as active as other community content.We keep them up because there are a ton of great conversations here and we believe you deserve to see them all.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.